Galvanized steel pipes should not be used for gas use as, over time, their zinc coating can flake off and cause stoves and water heaters to stop working correctly. On the other hand, black pipe may be safely utilized if it does not go underground.
Many jurisdictions have banned galvanized pipes for underground natural gas transportation as they will eventually rust and form leaks that pose significant safety concerns.
Choosing the suitable materials for gas lines is essential, and for expert guidance on gas line installation and safety, check out https://www.fullspeedplumbing.com/services/gas-lines/.
Galvanized Pipe
Galvanized pipe is a type of steel coated in zinc to resist corrosion, often used for water supply lines in residential homes and construction purposes like fencing, scaffolding, sewer plumbing, and more.
Galvanized pipe is unsuitable for gas use because its coating flakes off over time, forming mineral deposits within its pipes and gas leakage. Though temporary fixes such as sanding away deposits and repainting are possible, eventually, more deposits will build up again and must be cleared out before using galvanized pipes with gas.
In addition, these are steel pipes coated in zinc to protect them from corrosion, with this protective layer chipping off over time and becoming lodged within your plumbing or appliances, or worse yet, causing gas lines to burst and explode! A galvanized pipe for gas lines is particularly vulnerable to this complication.
Galvanized pipes should not be used with natural gas since their reactions with sulfur content pose a great safety risk, potentially chipping the metal and blocking up lines – this poses serious safety hazards and should be avoided at any new installation of natural gas systems.
Galvanized steel pipes are being eliminated from home plumbing systems because they can lead to leaching into drinking water supplies and can easily clog, restricting flow and decreasing pressure. Furthermore, over time, they erode, leaving behind hazardous zinc flakes.
The black iron pipe can be used for natural gas installations above ground; however, connecting it underground could cause chemical reactions that lead to gas leakage if connected with galvanized steel pipelines – thus, local codes often prohibit linking these two types of pipes.
Black Iron Pipe
Black pipe is ideal for transporting gas into any residential or commercial property. It is seamless, fireproof, and more durable than carbon steel piping; furthermore, it does not rust, making painting unnecessary to prevent rust streaks on its exterior surface.
Black iron pipe is a corrosion-resistant steel type of pipe commonly used in drainage lines, heating systems, and other non-galvanization applications that don’t need galvanization protection.
Unfortunately, however, this pipe type should not be used with gas lines due to rusting, which releases toxic substances into the water supply over time, reduces pressure, and pollutes it, leading to fatigue, headaches, insomnia, constipation, and reduced cognitive abilities.
Many building codes mandate using black pipe as it contains no zinc flaking off into your gas line and clogging regulators or valves with its presence. Galvanized piping cannot be used due to potential clogs caused by zinc particles flaking into it that clog regulators or valves.
Black pipes should always be the material of choice when creating gas lines to save on costs when creating new gas systems. It is also more cost-effective than galvanized pipe.
